Jeremy Clarke secured the leading starting position for the IMSA Chevrolet Grand Prix held at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park. This achievement followed an intense battle during the qualifying rounds, where Clarke's exceptional driving allowed him to outmaneuver his rivals. The event also saw impressive performances from other competitors, with Neil Verhagen and Dudu Barrichello claiming top spots in their respective categories.
The qualifying session for the LMP2 class was particularly gripping, culminating in Clarke's decisive performance. Piloting the #43 ORECA LMP2 07 for Inter Europol Competition, he recorded a fastest lap of 1 minute, 7.904 seconds on the challenging 2.459-mile, 10-turn road course. This marks Clarke's fourth career pole, and his first at this specific venue, often referred to as 'Mosport'. Clarke expressed his enthusiasm, stating the car's flawless setup was a result of his team's dedicated efforts.
Misha Goikhberg, driving the #52 car for Bryan Herta Autosport with PR1/Mathiasen, finished closely behind Clarke, trailing by only 0.173 seconds. PJ Hyett from AO Racing secured the third position in the #99 car, with a time 0.282 seconds slower than the pole sitter. The LMP2 segment witnessed a fluctuating lead, with Hyett initially setting the pace, followed by Clarke, and then Goikhberg joining the fray. A strategic tire change by Goikhberg and a late surge from Clarke ultimately determined the final grid positions, with Clarke improving his time in the closing moments to solidify his pole.
In the GTD Pro category, Paul Miller Racing's Neil Verhagen delivered a commanding performance, earning pole position with a lap time of 1 minute, 14.382 seconds in the #1 BMW M4 GT3 Evo. This marks Verhagen's second consecutive pole at the Canadian track, highlighting his affinity for the circuit's high-speed and demanding nature. He attributed his success to the excellent preparation by his team. Max Esterson of RLL Team McLaren placed second in GTD Pro, while Corvette Racing's Alexander Sims and Nicky Catsburg secured third and fourth, respectively.
For the GTD class, 'Dudu' Barrichello, the current championship leader, achieved pole with a lap of 1 minute, 15.130 seconds in the #27 Heart of Racing Aston Martin Vantage GT3 Evo. Despite a five-minute delay at the start of the session, Barrichello quickly found his rhythm, demonstrating his skill and securing his second pole of the season. He noted the car's exceptional handling and expressed joy at his performance in teammate Roman De Angelis's home race. Mason Filippi of DXDT Racing secured second place in the #36 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R, expressing his enjoyment in his first GT3 qualifying experience. Benjamin Pedersen in the Vasser Sullivan Lexus RC F GT3 and Russell Ward in the Winward Racing Mercedes-AMG GT3 rounded out the top positions in the GTD class.
The qualifying rounds for the IMSA Chevrolet Grand Prix provided a preview of the fierce competition expected in the race. Drivers across the LMP2, GTD Pro, and GTD categories pushed their limits, setting impressive times and showcasing the capabilities of their respective machines. The close margins and strategic maneuvers witnessed during qualifying promise an exhilarating race for fans.